21 December 1791

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to the President and Directors of Bank of the United States

As Secretary of Treasury, Hamilton requests that the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States furnish the Collectors of Import and Tonnage throughout the United States with the signatures of the President and Cashier. This will enable them to detect counterfeits in cash notes of the Bank of the United States. Hamilton also mentions the payment details arranged with the Collectors of the District of Philadelphia, the city where the Bank was based.

GLC03613

4 January 1864

Peyster, John Watts de, 1821-1907

Letter signed

Title: to Edwin D. Morgan

Encloses an address he delivered in Vermont on secession in Switzerland (not present) and asks Morgan to read it as an example for the United States. Writes, "I sincerely hope that you will do me the honor to read it in as much as the treatment and fate of Secession in Switzerland would have served as a complete lesson to our authorities had they been willing to profit by the experience of others." Printed illustration ("Battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862") on blank leaf of paper.

GLC03615

21 August 1818

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Tudor

Adams argues repeatedly from James Otis's work concerning Parliament's attempt to exercise control of the American colonies. He concludes with the statement "[t]hat Parliment had not Authority over America in any case Whatever."

GLC03625

31 August 1815

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eustis re: treaty of Ghent, Napoleonic wars, and threat of Barbery

Discusses the Treaty of Ghent, Napoleonic Wars, threat of Barbary pirates, and the new Netherlands consititution. Re: the Napoleonic Wars, Adams writes: "France is a conquest, and as a conquest will be treated."

GLC03626

1 April 1851

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Chase writes to an unknown recipient, apparently the editor of a weekly Ohio newspaper, the "Democratic Standard." Chase remarks that the recipient excerpted his letters for publication in the paper, and suggests several edits, including reducing his name to "S. Chase," noting "I never liked Salmon as a name for a human." Compliments the recipient's recent article on the next Whig candidate for president. Argues that the next nomination for the presidency must be made by a compromise between William H. Seward in the Senate and Badger, Dawson, Bell, and others from the South (possibly…

GLC03629

January 14, 1761

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Hancock

Hancock writes to his uncle. He mentions people he has met in London, as well as the death of Admiral Edward Boscawen before they had a chance to meet. He asks to be allowed to stay to see the coronation of George III. Hancock reports a rumor that Governor Ellis of Georgia will be appointed Governor of Nova Scotia. He also defends his expenses in London, particularly for clothing.

GLC03637

24 November 1791

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Short

Secretary of State Jefferson writes to Short, charge d'affaires to France. Short was in Europe negotiating a commercial treaty with France and handling details of a Dutch loan. Jefferson attempts to answer Short's request for information to quell rumors in France that America and Spain are on the brink of war. Recommends an essay on population by James Madison in the National Gazette be translated and published in France. Spends most of the letter on the slave uprising of Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo representatives went to America to request supplies to continue their revolt, but Jefferson…

GLC03639

18 October 1861

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Hickey] re: suppressing rebellion in Tennessee and allowing exiles to return

GLC03645

9 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Writes to Osgood, then a member of the Continental Congress and the treasury board, to request that Congress pay Baron von Steuben. States that "it has been owing to [von Steuben] that a substantial discipline has been established in the American Army," that he "is particularly attached to the cause of America," but "can no longer live without pay." (See GLC02437.01480 for the retained copy of this letter)

GLC03646

February 4, 1870

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Orne

Writes that she has been suffering from an illness this winter which her doctor believes is an inflammation of the spine brought on by great mental stress. He has advised her to go south, but she admits candidly that she does not have to money to do so. Describes the pain she is experiencing and her fear that she will lose the ability to walk. Comments shamefully that with her small means, she can only stay in second class boarding houses. Observes that the doctor told her that all of Germany would like to see the wife of such a great man put in a more comfortable position; bitterly remarks…

GLC03651

20 April 1786

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Writing as a member of the Continental Congress, Monroe seeks Jay's attendance at a meeting and input on the issues of governing territories and establishing an Indian Department. Indicates that the questions will pertain to whether or not the territories should be governed like colonies, and if so, how should it be superintended. The same question applies to the Indian department.

GLC03654

1769-1791

Header Record

Title: New Hampshire Revolutionary War documents, mainly dealing with draft, militia

1. King George III. D: Portsmouth, N.H. 4 November 1769. Legal writ to the sheriff of New Hampshire ordering the seizure of Richard Perkins for appearance in court. 1p. + docket + endorsement. 2. State of New Hampshire. D: Hillsborough, [N.H.] 12 January 1781. An Act for the raising and completing this state's quota of the Continental Army. 2p. + docketed on verso. 3. State of New Hampshire. D: Hillsborough, [N.H.] 14 April 1781. An Act in addition to, and alteration of an Act passed the 12th day of January 1781, entitled an act for raising and completing this state's quota…

GLC03657

5 June 1779

New Hampshire. General Assembly

Broadside

Title: Declaration of rights and plan of government for the State of New Hampshire.

This document is a legal document that affirms the legitimacy of the government of New Hampshire. Explicates a plan of government as well as affirming the rights of citizens. Docketed on recto by Isaac Andrews.

GLC03658

27 April 1847

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Bowers

Requests that northern New Hampshire send more volunteer soldiers. Suggests using musicians to attract recruits. Lauds the hard work given to recruiting by Bowers, his father, and Frank Fletcher.

GLC03659

24 October 1862

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes concerning his opinion that fighting cannot restore the Union. Comments, "Good & patriotic men have not yet reached your stand point & mine, that no faith can be reposed 'in arms for the restoration of either peace or of the States to the Unity of other days.'" States that he cannot respond to the recipient's suggestions in writing and must see him in person to do this. Notes the rising opposition to the Civil War in the North, "The woe & wailing & hopelessness which arms have brought, are telling upon the public mind at the North, as no argument could."

GLC03661

18 October 1765

Walpole, Robert, fl. 1765

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Resolutions of Virigina and Massachusetts against the Stamp Act]

A transmittal letter signed by Walpole as clerk for the Privy Council in the Court of St. James. Transmits resolutions from Virginia and Massachusetts proclaiming the Stamp Act illegal. The Stamp had been passed by Parliament earlier that year. Has a seal and watermark.

GLC03662.01

5 July 1776

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pay order to John Smith for salt petre]

Signed by Ellsworth as member of the Connecticut Committee for the Pay Table and countersigned by Treasurer John Lawrence. A note on the verso signed by Jonathan Bird confirms receipt of monies from Lawrence.

GLC03662.02

14 May 1776

Seymour, Thomas, 1735-1829

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pay order for selectmen of Preston, Connecticut]

Financial document signed by Seymour as a member of the Pay Table Committee in Connecticut. The committee was responsible for the finances of Connecticut during the Revolution. To Connecticut Treasurer John Lawrence. Document says to pay the Selectmen of Preston, Connecticut 10 pounds, 6 shillings for three guns and supplies for Captain Jewitt's company. On verso is a document signed by William Belcher that he received the money. Another document signed on verso, signed by Elijah Pitkin, says the payment was audited on 1 September 1777.

GLC03662.04

21 June 1776

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pay order for Simeon Brooks and Giles Cone]

Financial document signed by Ellsworth as a member of the Connecticut Pay Table Committee. The committee was responsible for Connecticut's finances during the Revolution. To Connecticut Treasurer John Lawrence. Payment of four pounds, 18 shillings, and eight pence is for Simeon Brooks and Giles for delivering saltpetre. Note, signed by Cornelius Higgins, says the payment was received. Another document signed, signed by John Treadwell, says the payment was audited on 1 September 1777.

GLC03662.05

1776

Wyllys, George, 1710-1796

Printed document signed

Title: [Six Connecticut six pence currency notes]

Currency pieces numbered 11282, 11284, 11287, 11291, 11294 (all signed by B. Payne) and 19157 (signed by G. Wyllys). On the verso of each is written "Regd E Colt." Indicates that by order of the Connecticut Assembly on 19 June 1776 the notes shall be redeemable from the treasury on 1 January 1782.

GLC03662.06

01 July 1881

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Book signed

Title: Inaugural Address of James A. Garfield / Mar. 4, 1881 [inscribed to Mrs. Blaine]

Inscribed to Mrs. Blaine by Garfield the day before he was shot by Guiteau.

GLC03558

8 May 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [An Act for regulating Processes in the Courts of the United States, and providing Compensations for the Officers of the said Courts, and for Jurors and Witnesses]

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Also signed in type by Jonathan Trumbull as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Henry Lee as President pro tempore of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Decided at the first session of the second Congress held at Philadelphia, 24 October 1791. Establishes regulations for Court processes.

GLC03561

4 October 1859

Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 1813-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Davis

Expresses gratification for the support received in Pennsylvania, the rest of the Union, and the South for his 1860 Democratic presidential bid against Abraham Lincoln. "I am under especial [sic] obligation to you and other friends in Pennsylvania for the energy and zeal with which you have sustained me in the great struggle to maintain the principles of self government. We are sure to achieve a glorious victory just as certain as our cause is just and the people are capable of understanding and defending their rights." Marked private.

GLC03569

28 April 1883

Morgan, John T., fl. 1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. D. Goodwin re: his vehement opposition to new tariff

Written as Senator from Alabama. John Tyler Morgan argues against organized labor's support for a high protective tariff.

GLC03577

19 October 1868

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Affix seal to ratification of Treaty with China.

This treaty, the Burlingham Treaty of 1868, amended the Reed Treaty of 1858 by allowing free immigration. That flow of people allowed the rapid expansion of western railroads through cheap labor. (Eventually, it also provoked a racial backlash on the west coast.)

GLC03578